Indian security forces on Wednesday killed at least four suspected militants in a gun battle after chasing down a lorry on a motorway near Jammu city, a link to Kashmir, police said.
The battle began at a police checkpoint in Sidhra near Jammu city at 7am, when officers tried to stop the lorry travelling to the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
But the lorry driver accelerated and later fled, arousing suspicion from police.
When a police team started searching the abandoned lorry, militants hiding inside opened fire and a gun battle ensued, said Mukesh Singh of Jammu police.
“All the terrorists were killed in retaliatory fire," Mr Singh said.
“The police recovered seven AK-47 rifles, one M4 rifle and three pistols [and] ammunition,” he said.
The lorry caught fire in the gun battle and fire tenders were used to douse the blaze.
The driver of the lorry was still at large on Wednesday with a manhunt under way.
Police sealed the area and stopped traffic on the road that connects the region with New Delhi.
“We have alerted all the police stations and accordingly search operations are being conducted to apprehend the absconder," Mr Singh said.
He said the lorry was intercepted after a special team spotted the unusual movement of the vehicle. Lorries usually travel in the area after noon.
It is believed the militants were being taken to a hideout in Kashmir.
Kashmir is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming the entire region. Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989.
The valley is experiencing an increase in militant activities since August 2019 when New Delhi arbitrarily stripped the partial autonomy of the region and divided the disputed region into two federally governed territories.
Police have tightened security ahead of India's Republic Day on January 26.
Security forces claimed to have averted a militant attack in Udhampur near Jammu on Tuesday after defusing a 15kg improvised explosive device.
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Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
FORSPOKEN
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Starfield
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
